New EPA Regulations Recycle More Plastic

The Environmental Protection Agency has finalized an interpretation of regulations that will allow plastic materials recovered from metal recycling facilities, automobiles, and other total product destruction services to be recycled. In a notice published in the April 5 Federal Register, EPA said the new regulations apply to plastic scraps that contain levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) that are less than 50 parts per million.

The EPA expects that the new interpretations will generate environmental benefits and protect human health by promoting recycling and preventing PCBs from entering the environment. The interpretation is expected to reduce consumption of oil by 30 million barrels annually, eliminate up to 5 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions, and save more than 50 million cubic yards of landfill space.

Under the final interpretation of the rules, recyclers must follow a list of voluntary procedures developed by the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries that are designed to prevent the introduction of PCBs into recycled plastics. The procedures involve the development and introduction of a documented materials management program.

EPA said the decision would be of interest to private citizens, federal, tribal, state and local governments, environmental consulting firms, industry representatives, environmental organizations, and other public interest groups. Public comments received on the proposed interpretation were overwhelmingly positive.